Robert L. FitzPatrick

Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing (2020), the first comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick is an expert in deception and fraud in Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes and bogus home-based businesses. He served as expert or consultant in more than 30 court cases involving pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He is co-author of False Profits (1997), an examination of the values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the documentary film, Betting on Zero and the podcast, The Dream. He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, was used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. His booklet, "The 10 Big Truths of Multi-Level Marketing", is also available in e-book format. His White Paper, "The Main Street Bubble", was featured in a CNBC Documentary, Selling the American Dream. In 2005, he delivered a seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators. He also published a widely read booklet on the landmark federal case brought against the Amway Corporation. He has provided expert consultation to many financial analysts. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert. He personally responds to hundreds of consumer and news media inquiries each year. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states and the US Dept. of Justice. Prior to his engagement in consumer education, Robert FitzPatrick provided consulting services in several industries in channel management and distributor marketing, working with hundreds of independent distributors and suppliers. Clients included Fujifilm, HP, Epson, Dupont and many others.